Vertical Drama Salon
The Vertical Drama Salon, a community gathering for filmmakers, writers, AI artists, developers, producers, and entrepreneurs exploring the future of AI-powered vertical storytelling.
Each salon features a three-speaker panel followed by an interactive roundtable discussion, where industry professionals share practical insights into creating vertical dramas—from writing and AI video generation to production workflows, distribution, and building sustainable creative businesses.
Whether you're experimenting with your first AI short or producing a full microdrama series, you'll meet creators, discover new tools, exchange ideas, and connect with others shaping the next generation of entertainment.
Brought to you by Microdreams.ai & CoreX Ventures
Thanks to Groundfloor for hosting
What to Expect
🎤 Three industry speakers
💬 Community roundtable discussion
🤝 Networking with creators and studios
🎬 AI filmmaking & vertical drama workflows
📱 Microdrama writing, production, and distribution
🚀 Live demos, emerging tools, and industry trends
🌮 Food & Drinks
Who Should Attend?
Filmmakers
Screenwriters
AI Creators
Content Creators
Game Developers
Designers & Animators
Producers
Startup Founders
Anyone curious about the future of storytelling
Come meet the people building the future of AI-native entertainment.
September 10 • 6:30 PM – 9:30 PM
Groundfloor
160 Glendale Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90026
Speaker Info!
Christopher Ma is an award-winning director, editor, and AI filmmaker, and the founder of Peeling Banana, an AI-driven production company developing original AI content and hybrid productions. A USC School of Cinematic Arts MFA graduate, he has worked across more than 30 vertical short-form series as an editor and post-production supervisor, alongside award-winning films and documentaries. His feature directorial debut, Eerie Hometown, premiered at the 2025 Taoyuan Film Festival and received a theatrical release in Taiwan. He also co-founded ESC Wanderers, a post-production company serving Los Angeles, Taipei, and Shanghai. Today, he brings his directing, vertical, and post-production experience into building cinematic, character-consistent AI production workflows.
Neko Sparks is a producer, entrepreneur, and technologist working at the intersection of entertainment, emerging technology, and interactive media. He is the founder of POV 23, a next-generation entertainment studio focused on developing and producing original film, vertical, and interactive content. His producing credits include the feature film Freedom’s Path, which was acquired by Paramount+, along with current projects including The Last Clan and 1815: Midnight Falls.
POV 23: https://pov23.com
The Last Clan: https://thelastclan.com
1815: Midnight Falls: 1815midnightfalls
Cisco Reyes, a New York native, holds a BA in Film and Television from Morgan State University. His formal acting training took place at the Beverly Hills Playhouse. He is widely recognized for his starring role as "Jesus" in the cult hit Next Day Air, alongside recurring appearances in various TV shows such as Bosch: Legacy, Chicago P.D., A House Divided, and Everybody Hates Chris. His accolades include a 2023 HAPA Award for Best Actor in an Independent Film for Picture Me Dead, as well as a Best Lead Actor win at the Newark International Film Festival for his work in The Love of Musiq. He currently plays the The Duke of Ravenshire in the hybrid microdrama 1815 Midnight Falls. Deeply committed to mentorship, Cisco has spent over a decade teaching screenwriting to 5th graders via the Young Storytellers Program. He remains actively involved in content development through his production banner, Melting Pot Entertainment, and currently holds the position of Chief Business Officer at POV23 Studios that is on the cutting edge of next gen technology and entertainment.
Max Karpylev is an AI filmmaker and Magnific Creative Hub artist based in Los Angeles. His CGI micro-series DeGenius Comedy and lunatoons.tv have earned 150M+ organic views on Instagram and TikTok. Former Local 600 DIT and Netflix colorist, he now teaches AI animation.
Han Cao, Hollywood VFX supervisor, ai content creator, co-founder of Feverhub.ai